Community Partnerships
CTH partners with Oregon Community Programs (OCP) to support youth and families through evidence-based behavioral health services. Our collaboration helps ensure that foster youth and their caregivers have access to timely, community-centered care. Together, we aim to strengthen emotional wellness, improve outcomes, and create a network of support.
CTH is honored to partner with A Home Within (AHW), a national nonprofit providing pro bono, long-term psychotherapy to youth impacted by foster care. Dr. Deanna Linville, in collaboration with Dr. Saralyn Ruff at the University of San Francisco, co-led a multi-year, community-based research project with AHW focused on improving mental healthcare access and outcomes for foster youth. Using Community-Based Participatory Action Research methods, the team conducted a statewide needs assessment and developed a randomized control trial to evaluate AHW’s service delivery model. In addition to her research role, Dr. Linville serves as a volunteer co-clinical director and consultation leader for the Greater Oregon Chapter of AHW, which she co-founded with Kirsten Hughes. CTH team members Kaycee Morgan and Christy Sheerin also contribute as volunteer therapists, further strengthening this mission-driven partnership.
The Bethel Mentor Program connects caring community volunteers with middle school students in the Bethel School District to build supportive, trusting relationships that foster resilience, confidence, and self-esteem. Launched in 2019 at Cascade and Shasta Middle Schools, the program offers weekly lunchtime meetups where students and mentors talk, play games, and build connection.
Led by Program Coordinator Christy Sheerin and Site Coordinator Kate Eterno, the program operates with no budget and is powered entirely by volunteers. School counselors identify students who may benefit from additional support, whether they're navigating social challenges, housing instability, or simply in need of a trusted adult to talk to. Participation is voluntary and requires parent permission. Mentors commit to just 40 minutes a week for the school year and receive training and ongoing support to help them build meaningful relationships with students.
As the program continues to grow, its leadership is focused on strengthening volunteer recruitment, expanding community partnerships, and deepening its long-term impact. In a partnership with the Center for Transformative Healing, Deanna Linville will lead a community-based evaluation of the program to better understand the needs it addresses, assess its outcomes, and identify opportunities for future growth. CTH is proud to collaborate with the Bethel Mentor Program and Bethel School District staff, and is inspired by the dedication of its mentors.
The Bethel Mentor Program
CTH has previously partnered with PacificSource, whose support has helped us bring meaningful training opportunities to our clinical community. With their funding, we hosted two workshops led by Dr. Joseph Apaia. These sessions gave local therapists practical tools and insights for working more effectively with complex trauma.
